Rodri’s exit could unlock Bouaddi’s mega-money move
The pieces are starting to fall into place. For weeks now, Manchester City and Lille have been working the angles around Ayyoub Bouaddi. But one key part was still missing to push the deal into the final straight. Rodri’s move to Barcelona could be it.
At just 18, the Lille midfielder looks increasingly likely to write his future far from the north of France. Talks between the two clubs have been going on for weeks and, in England, optimism is growing. A deal worth around 100 million euros is now being considered to tempt the Morocco international to the Etihad Stadium.
That said, nothing is done yet. Bouaddi is still training with LOSC and there has been no confirmed imminent arrival in England. The player is said to have already agreed contract terms with the Citizens. Now it is down to the two clubs to fit the final piece into place.
And Olivier Letang is hardly about to give away his prized asset.
Neymar’s 90 million is the number to beat
The Lille chairman knows the drill. In recent years, LOSC have become one of the most feared clubs in the French market when it comes to turning young talent into big money.
Leny Yoro joined Manchester United for 70 million euros including bonuses. Lucas Chevalier headed to PSG for about 55 million. Bafode Diakite brought in close to 40 million from Bournemouth. And Edon Zhegrova left the north for Juventus in a deal that could reach 19 million.
Bouaddi could blow all of those figures out of the water.
If Manchester City do put 100 million euros on the table, the midfielder would become the most expensive player ever sold by a Ligue 1 club abroad, ahead of Neymar and his 90 million euros when he left for Al-Hilal in 2023. The Kylian Mbappe case stands apart, with Monaco selling him to PSG for 180 million without him leaving the French top flight at the time.
The symbolism would be even bigger for Lille. Their current club record belongs to Nicolas Pepe, who left for Arsenal for 80 million euros in 2019. Bouaddi is one of their own.
96 senior games before his 19th birthday
After joining Lille’s academy at 13 following his development at AFC Creil, Bouaddi never really followed the usual path.
Thrown into the first team at just 16, he soon found himself in the deep end in Europe as well. Then came that night on October 2, 2024. Against Real Madrid, the young midfielder produced a performance that changed how he is viewed for good.
Since then, the numbers have kept climbing. Already 96 senior appearances for Lille, plenty of European experience for someone his age and now eight caps for Morocco. Bouaddi is no longer being sold as simply one to watch. He has become a player the biggest clubs in Europe are scrambling to land.
His decision to represent the Atlas Lions rather than France has only raised his profile further. His World Cup displays have pushed his value up again.
Maresca wants a midfield built around him
In Manchester, it is not just the raw talent that appeals. It is everything Bouaddi already brings to the table.
His technique, his ability to play under pressure and, above all, his reading of space fit perfectly with the possession football City demand. Enzo Maresca, now in charge at the English club, sees the Morocco international as a player who can deliver for years to come.
At Lille, Davide Ancelotti has not exactly played it down either, recently saying Bouaddi could develop into one of the best midfielders in Europe over the next decade.
Now it is about turning promise into reality.
Rodri’s departure has opened a gap in Manchester City’s midfield. Bouaddi could be the one to close it. And if talks go the way people expect, Lille may well land the biggest sale in their history from a player they have shaped over five years.
Letang has held firm on fees before. City have two weeks to find out how firm.
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